This six-barrel release will be remembered by the Gladharts as a product from their first vintage made in the winery adjacent to their 35-acre vineyard site in the Dundee Hills, and their sustainably farmed fruit spent more than 2 1/2 years in French oak (20% new). That accounts for a fruity nose of dark cherry, raspberry and pomegranate with hints of tobacco and green … [Read more...] about Winter’s Hill Vineyard 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $55
Oregon
Gresser Vineyard 2012 Recumbent Riesling, Willamette Valley, $18
Don't believe those who maintain Oregon cannot produce worthy Riesling, and here's another example from a Willamette Valley producer on the rise. This medium-dry Riesling from Shafer Vineyard in Forest Grove is as comfortable as saddling up the recumbent bicycle that was used to crush this lot a year ago Oct. 17. The nose features peach taffy, dried pear, sugar cane and Uncola, … [Read more...] about Gresser Vineyard 2012 Recumbent Riesling, Willamette Valley, $18
L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $35
One of the Northwest's most acclaimed vineyards was first planted in 1981, three years before the bi-state appellation was established and eight years prior to MIT grad Marty Clubb taking over the family's winemaking. The use of French oak, 40% new barrels, allows for notes of dark plum, black cherry cola, blackberry, clove and crushed walnut. There's an elegant entry of … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $35
Youngberg Hill Vineyards 2012 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, $20
One of the Northwest's trendsetting and most picturesque properties continues to produce graceful wines, and here's a product of 40-year-old vines from nearby Yamhill Valley Vineyards. The nose gathers up hints of lemon yogurt, apricot, peach and pear along with white pepper and a touch of butter. It provides pleasing up-front acidity, backed by white peach, Asian pear and … [Read more...] about Youngberg Hill Vineyards 2012 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, $20
Seven Bridges Winery 2010 Echo West Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50
Portland winemakers/soccer players Kevin Ross and Bob Switzer founded their downtown boutique winery in 2008, and their teamwork with small lots has produced remarkable results. Lloyd Piercy's vineyard northwest of Pendleton, Ore., has been the secret sauce behind some remarkable reds over the years. Here, it gets the spotlight. They've preserved characteristics associated with … [Read more...] about Seven Bridges Winery 2010 Echo West Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50